What is this on my carb? It gets really hot!!

[aaron7]

My car won't idle; ever. It bogs down to 400rpm and shakes violently, not matter what I set the idle screw at.

Anyways, that might be a whole different issue. But, what is this thing on my carb? It gets REALLY hot (as in the metal on it will burn you) so it is obviously shorting out!

[karazy]

It's hard to tell from the pic, but it looks like the choke. If it isn't working right, you won't get it to idle.

[aaron7]

Hmmm... that might be the reason I can't idle and it wreaks of gas all the time...

[90 GP]

There is an electric element inside the housing you circled. It is used to gradually heat the bi metallic spring to open up the choke butterfly . It is a normal condition and thats why the housing feels hot.

[Raddman]

Originally Posted by 90 GP

There is an electric element inside the housing you circled. It is used to gradually heat the bi metallic spring to open up the choke butterfly . It is a normal condition and that's why the housing feels hot.

Its an automatic choke, and has a clock like spring in it, as 90 gp said as it heats up it slowly opens your butterfly...Should have screws on the cover that once you loosen then you can adjust how fast you want the butterfly to open by turning it ether way...The ones I saw had arrows pointing each way saying "richer or leaner" and you hand adjusted...good luck...~Radd